A new survey suggests smoking, vaping and alcohol use among Liverpool teenagers has declined significantly. Trading Standards says enforcement action against illegal sales to under eighteens continues.
Recent survey data from Trading Standards Northwest reveals a significant decline in smoking, vaping, and alcohol consumption among young people in Liverpool. The annual survey, which began in 2005 and involved 622 teenagers this year, highlights the impact of ongoing efforts to reduce underage access to these products.
According to the survey, regular smoking among 14 to 17-year-olds has dropped to just 1%, with 93% of respondents stating they have never even tried a cigarette. There has also been a substantial decrease in vaping, with the number of young people who vape falling from 38% in 2023 to 20% this year. Alcohol consumption has followed a similar downward trend, as 72% of surveyed teenagers reported they have never consumed alcohol, compared with 50% over the same period in previous years.
Despite these overall improvements, some teenagers who do vape or drink reported that they still manage to obtain these products through friends, family members, or local retailers. Liverpool City Council continues to work alongside Trading Standards teams to investigate reports of illegal sales to individuals under the age of 18. This regulatory process includes providing guidance to businesses, while trained volunteers conduct test purchases to ensure compliance with the law. Officials state that these annual surveys remain a critical tool for monitoring the effectiveness of age restrictions on these products and identifying potential risks to the health and well-being of local youth.
